Wesley Corpus

Although he was so often in the front of the battle, both against Indians, French, and Spaniards, and in the hottest fire, both advancing and retreat ing, he never received one wound. So true is the odd saying of King William, that “every bullet has its billet.” Between five and six we reached Ennis, after a warm day, which much exhausted my strength; but it was soon repaired; and the serious well-behaved congregation (though many of them were people of fortune) made amends for the turbulent one at Galway. Such is the chequer-work of life ! Fri. 7.--I rested at Ennis: And it was well I did; for even in the house the heat was scarce supportable. Saturday, 8. I rode to Limerick, and found the preaching-house just finished. 224 REv. J. weslEY’s [June, 1765. I liked it the best of any in the kingdom; being neat, yea, elegant, yet not gaudy. Sunday, 9. In the evening I preached at Mardyke. The heat was violent, even at six; nevertheless there was a numerous congregation, both of Protestants and Papists. Some of the latter behaved with remarkable indecency, --talking and laughing as at a play. I turned and reproved them. They took it well, and neither laughed nor talked any more. In the following week I spoke to each member of the society, and had much satisfaction among them. Concerning several of them, there is all reasonable proof that they have given God all their heart: Many others are groaning after full salvation; and all the rest are free from outward blame. Why may not every Christian community come as far as this? Wed. 12.--In the evening I preached near Mardyke, on a smooth, grassy place, to, I think, the largest congregation which I ever saw in Limerick. A solemn awe seemed to sit on every face, while I declared, in strong words, “He died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him.” The next day the rain began ; so that all the following days I was constrained to preach in the house. Fri. 14.--About noon I preached at Ballygarane, to the small remains of the poor Palatines. As they could not get food and raiment here, with all their diligence and frugality, part are scattered up and down the kingdom, and part gone to America. I stand amazed !